College Football
South Carolina Gamecocks Preview
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As a college football fan what would you rather see: Your team struggle to a below .500 record and finish near the bottom of your division, but have your in-state rival go through those same pains; or would you want to have a successful season only to see those same rivals win a national title? Basically, is it more important to you that your favorite team wins, or that your least favorite loses?
When it comes the University of South Carolina and their fans, last year was the worst of both those scenarios.
Not only did the Gamecocks finish the season with a record of 6-7 and tied for fifth in the SEC East, but they had to sit and watch the one team they despise more than winning be crowned “Champions”.
Alabama Crimson Tide Preview
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Nick Saban nearly capped off his first decade as head coach for Alabama with his fifth national championship, but fell short at the last second.
Now in his 11th season, the Crimson Tide look to right that wrong and bring the title to where it they think it’s the most comfortable; Tuscaloosa.
Florida State Seminoles Preview
By: Alex Mathis
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Florida State Seminoles had a season of ups and downs during the 2016 season.
For most teams a 10-3 record would be called a success, but for FSU, not so much.
Valdosta State Blazers Preview
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Coming off a solid 8-3 season in Kerwin Bell’s first season as head coach the Valdosta State University Blazers have high hopes for the 2017 season.
LSU Tigers Preview
By: Christian Goeckel
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Bayou Bengals found themselves in a situation last year very reminiscent to the one UGA faced at the end of 2015.
Season after season ended in mediocrity, and elite player after elite player never realized their potential, only to dominate later in the NFL. In a word, the program had stagnated.
So, like Georgia, they moved on from their long time coach in Les Miles. Unlike Georgia however, they didn’t go for the upstart coordinator, and didn’t even flirt with the usual suspects that fans typically clamor for when a job of this magnitude opens up.
They, instead, went with a coach already on the staff, one the players would rally around during a turbulent time; Ed Orgeron. A Louisiana native with an accent thicker than jambalaya, and a coaching resume that spans the length of the country.
Today we take a look at what to expect out of the Tigers in 2017.
Florida Gators Preview
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We are entering Jim McElwain’s third year as the head coach in Gainesville. The Gators won the SEC East the last two years.
Clemson Tigers Preview
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In the 36 years that have passed between Clemson’s first National Title in 1981 and their second this past season, only two teams- ‘95 Nebraska Cornhuskers and ‘12 Alabama Crimson Tide- have been able to repeat as National Champions.
Tennessee Volunteers Preview
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Going into the 2016 season, much was expected of the Tennessee Volunteeers. Joshua Dobbs was returning, and with a talented team behind him it looked like the Vols could win the SEC over Alabama, but it was not to be.
Georgia Southern Eagles Preview
By: Alex Mathis
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Tyson Summers had a really interesting 1st season at Georgia Southern.
He saw his team finish the season 5-7 and received a lot a backlash from fans. Tom Kleinlein, Georgia Sothern’s AD, even drafted a letter of support for Coach Summers.
There were a lot of changes at GSU last year. The Wing-T offense, that we were used to seeing at GSU, was put aside for more of a spread offense. That experiment didn’t last a year.
Georgia Bulldog 2017 Preview
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
My favorite time of the year is upon us. I have been called one of the biggest Red and Black Kool-Aid drinkers on the planet by my editor Jason Bishop so it is poetic justice that I writes the UGA preview for SSE this year.
The pageantry of being in Sanford Stadium on a crisp fall afternoon is like no other and to hear those wonderful words over the PA system “If your blood runs red and black….It’s time to tee it up betweeeeeeeen the hedges”
2017 is a year of high expectations for the Dawgs. Kirby Smart entering his second year as head Dawg has a wealth of talent returning.
